About Marsha West

Marsha West is the owner and managing editor of Christian Research Network, Apprising Ministries (the late Ken Silva’s blog) and On Solid Rock Resources. She is also co-founder of Berean Research. For two decades Marsha was the owner and managing editor of Email Brigade website as well as the EMB News Report, a bi-weekly email report for conservative people of faith. For many years Marsha was a regular contributor to several blogs including CRN, RenewAmerica, News With Views and Web Commantary as well as popular websites she no longer endorses: American Family Association, Worldview Weekend, Stand Up For The Truth, The Christian Post and Christian Headlines. Although Marsha still blogs, her primary focus is CRN. Marsha also writes Research Papers (White Papers) on various topics that are published on CRN, Berean Research and On Solid Rock Resources. Visit Marsha’s other sites: On Solid Rock Resources https://www.onsolidrockresources.com/ Apprising Ministries http://apprising.org Marsha’s RenewAmerica Column http://renewamerica.com/columns/mwest Marsha’s Facebook Page http://facebook.com/marsha.west.77

Armed Military, Police Group Offers Kim Davis Protection from Further “Unlawful Arrest”

According to Christian News Network:

An armed group of current former military and police officials offered protection from further arrest to Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis from earlier this week, but was declined by her legal counsel.

Oath Keepers, whose motto is “Not On Our Watch,” is a coalition founded to provide education about, and defense of, the U.S. Constitution. The group issued a statement on Wednesday, outlining that it had offered protection for the now-freed clerk when she returns to her job on Monday.

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San Francisco jails to house transgender inmates based on gender preference

According to the Los Angeles Times:

TransgenderBy the end of the year, San Francisco’s county jails will be among the first in the nation to house transgender inmates by their gender preference, Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi said Thursday.

Currently, San Francisco County puts transgender inmates in an isolated wing of its downtown jail facility. But under the policy announced Thursday, Mirkarimi said, he hopes to have transgender inmates living with their preferred population before 2016.

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Muslim terrorists promise “Afro-Americans” mercy if they assassinate & target “racist politicians”

Christian Examiner reports:

Al Qaeda’s newest edition of Inspire, a jihadist magazine aimed at recruiting terrorists from among the English-speaking world, encourages black Americans to rise up against their own government, the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) has reported.

In the Inspire article titled, “The Blacks in America,” a writer calling himself Abu Abdiliah Al-Moravid claims the recent killings of blacks such as Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., Freddie Gray in Baltimore, Md., and nine black parishioners at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., are unlike anything found in Islam.

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New TV Series to Help Christians Back up Pro-life Position

Christian Headlines reports:

A new TV series which will help pro-lifers back up their position Biblically is set to air.

Todd Friel, the executive producer of the show called Life is Best, says that the show’s purpose is threefold.

“Number one is saving babies. Number two, saving souls. And number three, equipping Christians to prepare themselves to defend the pro-life position,” Friel told OneNewsNow.

Friel says the show will address the core argument in the abortion debate–whether the unborn is a human being or a mass of tissue that can be removed in a simple surgical procedure.

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Congress Discusses Planned Parenthood Baby Whose Face Was Cut Open with Scissors to Take Out Brain

Christian News Network has this tragic story:

Abortion

A baby who survived an abortion as his heart continued beating, but was soon murdered alive as his face was cut through with scissors to harvest his brain, was mourned by an Arizona Congressman during a hearing on Wednesday regarding Planned Parenthood’s alleged harvesting and sale of the organs of aborted babies.

During his opening comments for the hearing, Rep. Trent Franks (R) relayed testimony from one of the most gruesome Planned Parenthood expose’ videos released to date.

“One of these videos describes an incident where one of [StemExpress’ employees procuring organs from babies at Planned Parenthood] calls one of the younger employees over to witness something that was ‘kind cool,’—that one of the baby’s hearts was still beating,” he explained. “The older employee then said, ‘Okay, this is a really good fetus, and it looks like we can procure a lot from it. We’re going to procure a brain.”

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“Mindfulness” meditation fad popular with celebrities including Emma Watson can make you dream up false memories

According to Daily Mail, Buddhist meditation, which is what mindfulness is, can play tricks on your mind. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this practice, we’ve provided a link to a well researched article written by Marcia Montenegro. In her piece Marcia makes clear the reasons that Christians must not become involved in Eastern-style meditation.

Mindfulness is the fashionable form of meditation that fans say makes you feel less stressed.

But scientists have discovered one potential drawback – it can lead you to ‘remember’ things that haven’t happened.

People taking part in a 15-minute mindfulness session performed worse than those who did not on a memory test, researchers found.

The group who had been undertaking mindfulness were more liable to falsely imagine items on the test.

Mindfulness has become popular in recent years as a way to improve mental and physical well-being.

Celebrities endorsing it include Emma Watson, Davina McCall, Angelina Jolie and Oprah Winfrey.

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Related artcle:

Mindfulness: No Mind-Over Matter by Marcia Montenegro

Willow Creek’s “The Practice” blends New Age & Catholic mysticism

Berean Research reports:

A Catholic priest and a New Ager walk into Willow Creek…

No, it’s not a joke waiting for a punchline. It’s an experiment called The Practice, and it’s the brainchild of Pastor Bill Hybels’ son-in-law, Aaron Niequist. Niequist is also the Worship Pastor at Willow Creek Community Church, and he calls a Jesuit priest his spiritual director.

Be warned; you are about to hear a lot of New Age lingo:

The Practice is an experimental gathering where we immerse ourselves in God’s dream for humanity, practice the historic disciplines that align us with His dream, and carry each other along the way. PracticeTribe.com

Starting this Sunday, Niequist will teach you about “unforced rhythms of grace,” in which you will learn to align your rhythm with God’s rhythm, practice contemplative prayer methods like Lectio Divina, and learn from a Catholic priest.

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War Room’s Priscilla Shirer “will become the main character” in the Bible stories she’s reading?

John Lanagan of My Word Like Fire expresses his concern over the actress the Kendrick brothers cast in their new film:

Photo courtesy newsbusters.org

Photo courtesy newsbusters.org

I saw the movie, War Room, and liked it very much. Priscilla Shirer is an incredible actress, and the director made wise use of her facial expressions to tell much of the story.

Shirer is far more than an actress in a Christian movie. She is an author, speaker, and Bible teacher, and this movie is going to bring many women into her sphere of influence.

That’s not a good thing.

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SBC Executive Speaking at Muslim-Evangelical Interface Gathering

Pulpit & Pen reports:

Ed Stetzer

Lifeway – a Southern Baptist entity – will soon have their (arguably) most prominent executive speak at a Muslim-Evangelical interfaith event. Ed Stetzer, Vice President of Lifeway Insights Division and executive director of Lifeway Research, will speak at the upcoming Spreading Peace Convocation. The Convocation is a gathering of Christian pastors and Islamic imams, and is designed – according to their website – to “learn how to relate” and “build bridges” between the various religions.

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Fox News’ Shepard Smith Rails Against Christians Supporting Kim Davis During Live TV: “Haters Are Going to Hate”

Christian News Network reports:

During live coverage of Kentucky clerk Kim Davis’ release from prison, Fox News’ Shepard Smith unexpectedly started speaking over the press conference, calling it a “religious play” and chastising Davis and those who supported her decision to refuse to issue “gay marriage” licenses.

Shepard, who has had his own run-ins with the law, has had his share of random on-air outbursts, this one occurring during Tuesday’s live news broadcast.

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Homosexual Activist Human Rights Campaign Buys FreeKimDavis.com to Deceptively Raise Funds

According to Christian News Network:

A group co-founded by a man who is currently facing child sexual abuse charges and is a friend of Barack Obama has purchased the domain FreeKimDavis.com to deceptively trick Davis’ supporters into giving money to the homosexual activist organization.

When the domain is entered, one is redirected to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) website, specifically its donation page.

“Donate to HRC today. Or give the gift of equality to a friend or loved one,” the page reads. “Please note: An HRC sticker is included as part of your donation.”

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Harvard allows students to register with gender neutral pronouns

Boston.com reports:

Students registering at Harvard University now have the option to choose their preferred gender pronouns, including gender neutral terms like “ze, hir, hirs,” and “they, them, theirs.”

The Harvard Crimson reports that the Faculty of Arts and Sciences’ registration tool, which typically asks students to write down their gender marker in terms of “male,” “female,” and “transgender,” now for the first time allows students to write in their preferred pronouns when they registered this week.

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Pope Francis U.S. Visit 2015 Schedule and Dates: Pontiff Invites Rick Warren to Speak at Philadelphia Conference on Family

According to The Gospel Herald Ministries:

Rick Warren and Pope Francis

Rick Warren, senior pastor of Saddleback Church, has announced he will be speaking in Philadelphia later this month at the World Meeting of Families event to commence Pope Francis’ highly anticipated visit to the United States.

Warren announced his plans to attend the event during the Sunday morning worship service at the Lake Forest, CA church.

“Next month, Pope Francis is coming to America for a world gathering on families,” he told the congregation. “I’m not a Catholic, and we have many differences with Catholics. But they love the Lord and we have much in common with that – we believe in the Bible, and the Trinity, and in Jesus and the resurrection.”

“There are probably going to be a million people in Philadelphia at this final event with Pope Francis, and he’s asked me to be the final speaker,” the Purpose Driven Life author continued amid cheering and applause.

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Tullian Tchividjian’s Hiring as Ministry Director Shortly After Affair, Divorce Raises Concerns

Christian News Network has the latest in the Tullian Tchividjain saga. Tullian landed a job with Willow Creek Presbyterian Church in Florida! For those who are wondering, WCPC has no connection to Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago and its senior apostate pastor Bill Hybles.

Less than three months following his resignation as senior pastor of a megachurch over his admission to having an affair, and less than two weeks after he filed for divorce from his wife, Tullian Tchividjian, the grandson of evangelist Billy Graham, has been hired by Willow Creek Presbyterian Church in Florida to serve as director of ministry development.

As previously reported, Tchividjian, 42, the son of Virginia Graham, took over the pulpit of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in 2009 following the passing of founder D. James Kennedy. However, the selection divided the congregation, as some approved and others disapproved of his leadership. Several months after he accepted the job, Kennedy’s daughter and others began calling for his removal.

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Judge Who Jailed Kim Davis Ordered Students Who Opposed Homosexuality to Be Re-Educated

According to Christian News Network:

Following yesterday’s jailing of a county clerk for stating that it is not possible for her to obey an order to issue marriage licenses to homosexuals against God’s law, it is now being noted that the same federal judge also once ordered Kentucky students to be re-educated about homosexuality despite their objections.

In 2003, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)—the same group that filed suit against Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis—sued the Boyd County Board of Education to force it to agree to allow a “gay-straight” alliance club to meet at Boyd County High School. A number of parents had strongly opposed the group following its initial formation, with approximately 70 attending a school council meeting to speak out on the matter.

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Militant black activists call for chaos, flag burning, and murder on 9/11

Christian Examiner has this disturbing story:

WARNING TO READERS: The links enabled in this story lead to videos posted by activists with #FYF911 and contain the prolific use of profanity and racial slurs for both white and black people, as well as graphic portrayals of their intentions. Christian Examiner is providing the links for readers to further research the information contained in the article below and as a means of confirmation of the comments made by the activists.

A group of militant black activists is encouraging the followers of the #BlackLivesMatter movement to hijack Sept. 11, traditionally a day of national remembrance for those who lost their lives in the attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon and Flight 19 in 2001.

Instead of celebrating the unity of the United States on the day, the activists instead claim they will be holding nationwide protests, burning the American flag and even using the American flag to clean themselves after using the bathroom. Several of the activists have already posted pictures online showing themselves using the American flag as toilet paper.

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U.S. Catholics Open to Non-Traditional Families

According to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center:

45% of Americans Are Catholic or Connected to Catholicism

When Pope Francis arrives in the U.S. for the World Meeting of Families later this month, he will find a Catholic public that is remarkably accepting of a variety of non-traditional families, according to a new Pew Research Center survey that provides an in-depth look at American Catholics’ views on family life, sexuality and Catholic identity.

Nine-in-ten U.S. Catholics say a household headed by a married mother and father is an ideal situation for bringing up children. But the survey shows that large majorities think other kinds of families – those headed by parents who are single, divorced, unmarried or gay – are OK for raising children, too.

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Demystifying the Popular Prophecies About Jewish Sabbaths and Blood Moons

Gaylene Goodroad of Herescope has written a book review of David James’ new book “Biblical Guide to Shemitah and the Blood Moons: Discerning Popular ‘Prophecies’ in the Light of God’s Word.” In the book, Dave James lays to rest the notion that Jonathan Cahn (The Harbinger; Shemitah) and John Hagee (Blood Moons) are modern day prophets, as some people believe. In fact, both these men are false prophets.

Shemitah book

The book, The Mystery of The Shemitah, by Jonathan Cahn—a runaway sequel to his bestselling book, The Harbinger—has nearly rivaled the success of its predecessor[1]—and has proponents of these ancient mysteries eagerly anticipating the economic destruction of the United States this September (when the “Shemitah” cycles end), in fulfillment of the apocalyptic and calamitous judgments, predicted in the so-called hidden end-time Jewish prophecies, Sabbaths (Shemitahs, pronounced sh’mee’-tah), and current Blood Moon Tetrad (aligned with Jewish feast days), detailed in Cahn’s books.

Jonathan Cahn warns of pending “Shemitah” judgments coming to America on Sid Roth’s television program, It’s Supernatural

Jonathan Cahn warns of pending “Shemitah” judgments coming to America
on Sid Roth’s television program, It’s Supernatural

There is extraordinary publicity ramping up over the dire events that are predicted to happen the last few weeks in September this year, 2015.Charisma, for example, just ran an article titled “10 Things That Are Going to Happen Within 15 Days of the End of the Shemitah,” which attempts to prophetically connect the Jade Helm military exercises, selected United Nations conferences, and even the Pope’s upcoming visit to America events to the Blood Moons prophecies that have been popularized by men such as Jonathan Cahn, Mark Biltz and John Hagee.

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Seances, Spirits and 12 Steps

John Lanagan of My Word Like Fire brings to light what most people are unaware of: the occult origin of Alcoholics Anonymous. A.A. is not a Christian organization, brethren:

“[He] knew little of psychics and had heard nothing before this of my adventures.”–A.A. co-founder Bill Wilson, from his official A.A. biography, Pass It On, pg.277

“Do not seek out mediums and spiritists; do not seek out and be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:31)

Author Richard Burns, better known as Dick B., has been churning out books and articles on the alleged Christian origin of Alcoholics Anonymous for years. Regrettably, in his numerous books, Dick B. has never acknowledged the demonic origin of the 12 Steps.

His books, however, have deeply influenced the Body of Christ. People frequently justify A.A. attendance with statements like, “Well, Alcoholics Anonymous was originally Christian.” Or, “The 12 Steps are based on the Bible.” A common misconception is that one or both Alcoholics Anonymous co-founders, Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith, were Christians.

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New Planned Parenthood Video: Sometimes Intact Fetuses “Just Fell Out”

The Weekly Standard reports:

AbortionThe Center for Medical Progress is out with another horrifying video exposing Planned Parenthood’s practice of harvesting the organs from aborted fetuses for money. One of the people that appears in this latest video is Cate Dyer, the CEO of StemExpress, whose sister was the health policy advisor for Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner until very recently. According to CMP’s press release accompanying the video:

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Down the Decadent “Ashley Madison” Avenue

Dr. Peter Jones of truthXchange explores the ways in which our debased culture continues to take a toll on the Church. TruthXchange is a ministry that seeks to understand the culture, as Paul did in his day, so that we will know how share the gospel of Jesus Christ with our neighbors and friends. Because of the research he does, Dr. Jones has become a culture specialist. As always, he offers a biblical perspective on the world the flesh and the devil.

Family ripped apart

Classy name, eh! Thirty nine million adulterers, signed onto “the world’s leading married dating service for discreet encounters.” “Life is short: Have an affair,” intones the publicity, with an accompanying song: “ I’m looking for someone other than my wife.”

Noel Biderman, the entrepreneur behind the company, claimed he was not looking for someone other than his wife. Hypocritically, while he and his wife made millions on cheaters, he claimed he was a devoted husband and father. She said she would be devastated if he were unfaithful. Not surprisingly, when the site was recently hacked, among the millions outed was Biderman himself, with emails proving he had used the site for multiple affairs with other women. The dissimulation continued, since evil has a way of multiplying its effects.

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Pope tells priests to pardon women who have abortions

According to the Bible man does not have the authority to absolve anyone of their sins (Mark 2:7). God is the only one who can pardon the guilty sinner. But the apostate Roman Catholic Church sees it differently. The RCC teaches that priests have the authority to absolve people of their sins, as we see here:

Pope Francis

Pope Francis on Tuesday called on priests to pardon women who have abortions, and the doctors who perform them, during the upcoming Jubilee year — overruling hardline traditionalists within the Catholic Church,

“I have decided, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, to concede to all priests for the Jubilee Year the discretion to absolve of the sin of abortion those who have procured it and who, with contrite heart, seek forgiveness for it,” he said.

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Read our research paper on Roman Catholicism

Tullian Tchividjian Files for Divorce

According to Christianity Today:

Billy Graham and Tullian Tchividjian

Tullian Tchividjian, Billy Graham’s grandson, filed for divorce on Thursday in Broward County, Florida. Tchividjian resigned as senior pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale earlier this summer after admitting an extramarital affair. He has since lost his ministerial credentials.

There was little public information available about the divorce filing. Under Florida law, one party must establish that the marriage is “irretrievably broken” in order for the union to be dissolved. Tullian and his wife, Kim, married in 1994 and have three children.

Tchividjian, who is the petitioner in the case, did not respond to a request for comment. Today [Aug. 26], author-pastor Paul Tripp, a friend and counselor to Tchividjian, said in a statement that for six months much effort was made in “hope of healing the marriage,” but he said it was too “deeply broken.”

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Ligonier suspends R.C. Sproul Jr. over Ashley Madison visit

Christianity Today reports this heartbreaking news:

Ligonier Ministries has suspended R. C. Sproul Jr. until July 2016 due to his admission that he visited the adultery matchmaking website Ashley Madison.

Ligonier was founded by his father, R. C. Sproul Sr., who still serves as board chair. The younger Sproul is one of the ministry’s teaching fellows, and is rector and chair of philosophy and theology at the ministry’sReformation Bible College. He previously edited the ministry’s magazine, Tabletalk.

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